A Mystery Token - SOLVED

[Merf]

I found this 2 1/2 cent token yesterday and after 4 hours in the tumbler I can read it but I am puzzled as to what it was used for. It measures 1 3/8 inches in diameter. Any help is appreciated. Merf

 

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[Hardy]

Re: A Mystery Token

SOME ONE USED IT AS A BUTTON, BUT ITS NICE AND CLEAN

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

Re: A Mystery Token

The one side looks like its good for one bet at a mule race!!!!

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

Re: A Mystery Token

well Merf look into it! its from Rockford!!!

 

[Michellets]

Re: A Mystery Token

That's an interesting token Someone should be able to ID it and date it with all the visible information on it. You didn't
mention what it's made of (brass, aluminum, silver, nickel, etc...), size? I think that since it was also used as a button it may make it date as an earlier token.
Back side "Bet I am" and "2 1/2 C in trade"
Front side "R.U.A. Buffalo " Rockford Ill. 114 W. State St. "The Office O.G. GLE?MMANN PROP."
With info someone here should be able to ID it!
HH M

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: A Mystery Token

The token is listed... no pictures

"451. IL Rockford: NEAT BUFFALO/Donkey Rubic. The Office RUA (buffalo)//Donkey (rubic). AL, 31mm V-09 R6 ca. 1900. PLATED in Vacketta. "

#451 at this site: http://www.exonumia.com/fs/vack2.htm

I think just-geese is right...

 

[Merf]

Re: A Mystery Token

Thanks Don, Jim, and all.
I found this on a similar token at exonumia.com

1497. IL Rockford REBUS Buffalo. O.G. Gleichmann The Office V09 (pictured), with Buffalo, and reverse rebus! Neat 2 1/2c token. The Office is still in Rfd and is now a gay bar (!). Ca. 1900. AL R6 Dark F/VF pitting, dings, scr.


I am thinking that The Office was a bar or saloon. Prolly not gay back then.

 

[exonumia]

Re: A Mystery Token

As has been previously noted, this is a Rockford IL token, a "rebus" token, as listed on my web site http://www.exonumia.com . I sold one of these in one of the Ore Vacketta mail sales (he wrote the book on IL tokens, which I published, and I have the book in stock on my exonumia book list). It is a REBUS token, where various symbols stand for words. It is aluminum, about silver dollar sized. It would have been used as part payment on a drink. The issuer Gleichmann also issued other tokens, and a match safe. It is scarce, but not rare, but of course since I live in Rockford, I've seen more of these than most people. A very 'cute' piece, worthy of a premium bid in nice condition (which this one is not, probably the worst known piece!). There are very few 'rebus' tokens, and very, very few pictorial tokens from Illinois. The Office was a bar back then, ca. 1900, and still is, now it is a gay bar. I'd love to have a modern token from this place, to go with my oldies! There aren't too many bars still going after 100 years. Still located on the main drag <g> of Rockford, in an old building, and now in an area of improved yuppie-type stores and eateries.

As I know of it, a 2 1/2 cent token would have been used for change, with drinks priced at two for 25c. Pay 15c for a drink, and get a 2 1/2c token back as change, and as an inducement to come back. I'd have to say the total population known to me, including this one, the one in my collection, a duplicate in stock and the one sold in the Vacketta sale is maybe 10 pieces total. Scarce, not rare. But, cute!

Rich Hartzog www.exonumia.com

And, if you collect Illinois Trade tokens, or other tokens/medals, stop by my web site sometime. I have the largest listing of exonumia books, and lots of other information. If you collect IL Trade Tokens, let me know, more from the Vacketta collection is coming up for sale.

 

[Merf]

Re: A Mystery Token

Thanks Rich,
Very good and interesting Info on the token.